Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center

Description of Field Work
Housing discrimination threatens equal-housing opportunity and freedom of choice in New Orleans. he federal Fair Housing Act enumerates a number of actions and practices that are illegal when found to discriminate or cause discrimination against a member of a protected class. It is illegal to:

Refuse to sell or rent a property to a person because of his/her membership in a protected class;

Discriminate in the terms, conditions and/or privileges of sale or rental because of membership in a protected class;

Discriminate in advertising, specifically to make, print, publish, or cause to be made, published or printed, any notice, statement or advertisement that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of membership in a protected class;

Misrepresent the availability of housing because of a person’s membership in a protected class;

Engage in blockbusting or steering. Blockbusting is designed to induce panic in a neighborhood by telling a homogeneous group in a community that others like them are leaving because a group of people representing a protected class are moving into the neighborhood and thereby changing or destroying the neighborhood and community. Steering occurs when housing providers direct renters or buyers to a certain neighborhood because of their protected class status;

Refuse to accommodate people with disabilities by allowing them to make reasonable modifications to housing;

Discriminate in making loans for real estate transactions including purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing and/or maintaining a dwelling; and

To coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with any person in the exercise or enjoyment of a fair housing right or any person who has aided or encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of a fair housing right.

Externship RequirementsIn addition to submitting your cover letter, resume and transcript, please complete the Volunteer Application found on the website.

Application Process

Don't delay as opportunities will fill fast. Apply in early January through early April for a summer placement. The Office of Skills seeks to place all summer extern applications in by April 20th with finalized placements set by May 1st. Apply in early March through June for a Fall or Spring placement. All externship applications for Fall should be submitted by July 31st. Externship applications are processed on a first come first serve basis.